The primary reason for round being the most expensive diamond shape is that a large amount of the rough stone is lost during the cutting and polishing process. To achieve the fire and brilliance characteristic of the round shape, more of the original is lost than when cutting a fancy shape.

A good quality 1 carat diamond ring costs between $6,500 to $7,500 in retail stores, while the same diamond will cost about $3,000 - $4,000 online! On the other hand, the highest quality 1-carat diamond (D color and Flawless) will set you back $10,000 or more (add 40-70% when purchased at a jewelry store).

Diamond shapes are categorized into two groups: round diamonds and fancy shape diamonds. Round brilliant diamonds are the most traditional diamond shape. Tiffany fancy shape diamonds include princess, cushion, emerald, oval, pear, marquise, heart and our exclusive Tiffany True® diamond.

Wholesale diamonds are cheaper for a few reasons. First, they are sourced directly from diamond mines or cutting factories, which cuts out the middleman and allows the buyer to save on markup. Second, because they are sold in bulk, wholesalers can offer a discount on the per-carat price.